Aside from our fire blight issue with the apple trees and the garlic fungus, it’s been a really good start to the summer.

The few pest issues we’ve had have been earwigs that chewed on the bean plants and a few of the cabbage plants, which we took care of with several dustings of diatomaceous earth. But for the most part (so far) it’s been quiet in the garden.

We had ample rain in June, and when the warm weather finally kicked in, everything took off. We’ve even picked zucchini and a tomato last week, which is pretty unusual for us at this point in the season. The kohlrabi has been particularly tasty, the potatoes (no potato bugs!), carrots, and beets are coming on strong, and we have an ample harvest of basil already. It’s one of those bountiful years that comes far and few between around here.

Swallowtail Butterflies and Asiatic Lillies

Every new year seems to have a high point to the garden. This year it’s the Asiatic lilies. They are nearly four feet tall and absolutely stunning.

The orange lilies started first, followed by the yellow and now the burgundy ones. Pairing them with the delphiniums proves an eye-catching display. What’s even more entertaining, outside of the beautiful flowers, are the winged visitors who equally love the flowers. Last night while we were eating dinner, a swallowtail butterfly went from flower to flower on the delphinium. He (or she) had been on it throughout the day, so I was just happy to be able to grab the camera to take a photo.

I’m delighted to see the butterflies using the flowers we plant for them. Soon the cosmos will be blooming along with the anise hyssop and the sunflowers, giving the butterflies and other pollinators a continuing food source throughout the summer.

Cabbage Moths

On the pest side of things, I have a secret weapon this year. The boys are catching cabbage moths for me in the hopes that they can snag them before they lay eggs on the cabbage, kale, broccoli, and such. And after we checked the cost to buy a container of 5 painted lady butterfly caterpillars (beyond the special that came with their cage), we decided they’re also going to find cabbage moth larvae, in the event that they miss any of the moths.

So the boys are checking the enormous cabbage leaves and will pick off any of the green caterpillars to have them finish their lifecycle under their watchful eye. They’re not nearly as pretty as the painted ladies, but the process is the same. And it’s certainly good practice for the future gardeners.